Yes, of course I was thrilled. Who wouldn’t be? But I was totally stunned as well. I didn’t know anything about the nomination until I was told the judges were coming to visit the school. It’s a fantastic accolade, though. And already it’s brought new friends and contacts for the school.

But honestly, I’m not special at all. I’m just fantastically fortunate. I’m an incurable optimist. I love life and everything about it. Every day has something new to offer.

I was born and brought up in a colliery village in County Durham. I went to grammar schools, and then to the old North Riding College of Education. We were the last of the two-year trained teachers, but my goodness, we were taught to teach. We had to be - there were still classes of 50 or more when I started. That was in Peterlee, in those days a brand new town.

Then I came to Newcastle - Atkinson Road infants, 1962. Then I got married and had my son, Ian, and did some part-time teaching here in the west end of the city. Then I was deputy head at Cruddas Park infants, then I came here, to Ashfield nursery school. That was in 1973. Except for a two-year secondment to the city council as under-fives adviser, I’ve been here ever since.

And I’ve seen fantastic changes. On the surface they’ve been changes for the better. The slums and the worst of the high-rise flats have gone, of course, but there’s still a lot of deprivation. Now, the whole area is part of the city’s regeneration plans. They’re very important to me. It matters so much that we keep the community feeling.

And, of course, the school has changed, too. When I started teaching, nursery schools were seen really as a glorified child-minding service. Now everybody recognises the importance of early years schooling - especially the parents. When we set up our first parents’ classes at Ashfield, there was a gulf of suspicion. Why would teachers want parents in schools? But the message spread. Now the classes are self-programming. We have three generations coming through our doors, beginning to understand and develop their own potential. Parents are real partners now.

You know that magic light that goes on when reading suddenly clicks for a child? When you can see in their eyes that their minds are working, that they’re making connections for themselves? It’s still what gives me greatest pleasure. Though watching parents who feared and hated school coming to prize day with a spring in their step to collect their child development certificates does come pretty close.

So, I’m lucky. Lucky to be in the right place at the right time; lucky to have a great team of colleagues; lucky to have fantastic support right across the city.

How old am I? Well, let’s say I’m in my fifties. And no, I’m not thinking of retiring yet. There’s too much to do, too many hills still to climb. We’re linked with a nursery school in Turin - we’ve got pupil and parent visits planned for the next four years. Local companies are helping us with a Mediterranean garden and a beautiful mosaic wall. Lots of things in the pipeline.

And yes, I do like persuading people to help. But do you know something? They like it, too.

Interview by Michael Duffy. The Teaching Awards 2002 national ceremony will be shown on BBC1 on Sunday, November 3. For further information and to register your nomination for 2003, visit www.teachingawards.com